Chair having adjustable seat and leg rest



g 1952 T. T. LECROY CHAIR HAVING ADJUSTABLE SEAT AND LEG REST 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 5, 1951 mu W a z T T INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 T. T. LECROY CHAIR HAVING ADJUSTABLE SEAT AND LEG REST Aug. 26, 1952 Filed Jan. 5, 1951 INVENTOR s v E N R m A 6,. 1952 T. T. LECROY 2,608,237

CHAIR HAVING ADJUSTABLE SEAT AND LEG REST INVENTOR A ORNEYS e T. T. LECROY CHAIR HAVING ADJUSTABLE SEAT AND LEG REST Aug. 26, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Jan. 3, 1951 ZZZ Z? L@ 0? INVENTOR ATTORNEYS) Patented Aug. 26, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE l CHAIR HAVING ADJUSTABLE SEAT AND LEG REST Claims.

This invention relates to a chair, and more particularly, has reference to an adjustable chair wherein a seat frame, lower limb frame, back frame, and arm rest frame are all relatively adjustable to suit the needs or wants of the user.

One important object of the present invention is to provide a chair of the character described wherein a seat frame and lower limb frame can be locked in line and will be pivotally mount ed in such a way as to permit one to either be seated in or leave the chair without necessity of bending the knees, thereby to adapt the chair for use by afliicted persons.

Still another object is to provide a construction as described wherein said seat frame and lower limb frame can be unlocked and the lower limb frame swung down to a position at approximate right angles to the seat frame.

Still another object is to provide a construction wherein the seat frame will be capable of being adjusted to various selected positions relative to the stationary chair frame.

Yet another object is to provide a construction wherein the back frame and arm rest frame are readily adjusted in such a manner as to permit the user to seat himself either upright or in a reclining position.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts, hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a chair constructed in accordance with the present invention, the seat frame and limb frame being locked in line and being shown in their normal position ofuse.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View, portions of the frame coverings being broken away to show details of construction.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the chair, the seat frame and limb frame being illustrated in the position assumed thereby when one is about to be seated in or is leaving the chair, the dotted lines illustrating an adjusted position of the back frame and arm rest frame.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the lower portion of the limb frame, the dotted lines indicating an operative position of the foot rest and the full lines indicating an inoperative position thereof.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the pivot mounting of the seat frame and lower limb frame, the dotted lines illustrating positions assumed by the parts when said frames are unlocked. I

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the parts illustrated in Fig. 6, portions being broken away.

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of a cover plate for the lower limb frame.

Referring to the drawings in detail, there will first be described the stationary portion of the chair, comprising a supporting frame. This comprises a plurality of frame units, secured together and cooperating to constitute the supporting frame of the chair. These units comprise a rear side frame unit, a front side frame unit, a bottom frame unit, and a top frame unit, each of which will be described in turn.

Considering first the rear side frame unit, this includes the rear legs I at opposite sides of the chair, each leg l comprising a tubular member inclined forwardly and upwardly as readily seen in Figs. 1 and 3, and formed integrally with a forwardly curved top portion 2 which in turn merges into and is integrally formed with a vertically extending brace 3. This construction provides a pair of identically formed rear side frame units generally designated 4, and disposed section on line 5-5 of at opposite sides of the chair, each of said units being formed from a single piece of tubular metal material and formed roughly into an inverted U-shape.

At opposite sides of the chair, at the front end thereof, there are provided front side frame units, each of which is formed from a single piece of tubular metal material, shaped to provide elongated front legs 5 extending upwardly and inclined slightly rearwardly, these merging at their upper ends into curved and approximately horizontal hand holds 6, which in turn merge into and are integral with depending vertical front side braces I.

There are thus defined front side frame units generally designated 8.

A bottom frame unit is also formed from a single piece of metal material, disposed horizontally adjacent the lower ends of the legs 1 and 5. This single piece of metal material is bent into a U-shape, so as to define horizontally disposed side rails 9 extending longitudinally of the chair and formed integrally at their rear ends with a horizontally disposed bottom cross brace l0 extending transversely of the chair at access? the back end thereof. There is thus provided at bottom frame unit generally designated II this extending around the chair at the outside of the side frame units.

At their front ends, the arms 9 are connected by rivets 12 or equivalent fastening means to the legs 5, while intermediate their ends, the side rails 3 are connected as at l3 to the lower ends of the vertical braces 3. Adjacent their rear ends, the side rails are connected to the legs I by means I4.

Considering now the construction of the top frame unit, this includes side rails l5 disposed parallel to and above the side rails 3 of the bottom frame unit, the side rails I5 being integral at their rear ends with a top frame cross brace l6. As readily seen from Figs. 1 and 3, adjacent their rear ends, the side rails l5 are inclined upwardly, for the purpose of spacing the top and bottom cross braces l6 and respectively a sufllcient distance apart to accommodate therebetween an adjustment plate to be described in detail hereinafter.

The top frame unit, as seen from the above, is also formed from a single piece of metal ma terial bent into the shape of a U, and the top frame unit is generally designated ll. 7

At their front ends, the top side rails lliare connected as at l3 to the legs 5.. while, intermediate their ends, said top side mus are, connected as at [3 to the lower ends of the vertical braces 1. Spaced a short distance from the connections are connections 20 whereby said top side rails I are connected to the braces '3 of the rear side frame units, while the top side rails are connected adjacent their rear ends by connections2ltothelegsl.

In this way, there is provided ,a rigid chair frame, that is stationary at all times, and which provides a support for movable portions of the chair to be presently described. Y

I The invention includes a seat framesenerally designated 22, this being formed from a sin l piece of tubular metal material of U- shapmhaving the parallel side portions 23 integrally. joined at their rear ends by the transversely disposed cross member 24. The seat frame is covered by a metal cover plate 25 secured to the sideburtions 23 by rivets 26 or equivalent fastening means. ,7 V ,2

A lower limb frame is generally designated 21 and includes a pair of parallel side bars 235 overed by and secured to opposite sides of a metal cover plate 29. The constructionof the plate 29 is readily seen in Fig. 8, and this includes a main portion formed at opposite sides with: depending longitudinal flanges 30 that overlie the respective side bars 28. The flanges 30 areformed with aseries of longitudinally spaced openings receiving fastening means of any suitable type whereby said flanges are secured rigidly to the side bars. I Y i The main portion of the ooverplate 23 is integral with the downwardly offset front portion 3|, having depending longitudinal flanges 32, that also overlie the side bars 28. l M

Extending between the front portionsof the side bars 28 is a heel support plate 33, having depending side flanges overlying said side bars. pivot bolt 34 extends through the flanges of the heel plate 33, into any of arseries of longitudinally spaced openings 35 formed in the respective side bars, so that said heel plate can be a djustedlongitudinallyof the side bars asd s rfiq- The pivot bolt 34 also serves to connect to the side bars and heel plate 33 a foot rest, said foot rest including pivot plates 35 formed to an approximately triangular shape, the pivot bolts 34 extending through one corner of the respective plates 33 for the purpose of pivotally connecting said plates to the side bars. The plates 36 are rigidly connected to a U-shaped foot rest frame unit 31, disposed perpendicularly to the side bars 28 in one position of adjustment seen in dotted lines in Fig. 4. In another position of adjustment, the foot rest is adapted to be swung forwardly to the full line position illustrated in Fig. 4 which position can be considered either as an inoperative or folded position, or alternatively, can be used to elevate the feet of the user above the plane of the lower limb frame proper.

A foot rest cover plate 38 overlies the frame unit 31, and is secured thereto in any suitable manner.

It will be seen that by placement of the pivot bolt 34 in any selected opening 35, theheel rest plate 33 and thefoot rest are adjustable bodily to a selected position.

In any position to which so adjusted, of course, the foot rest is swingable to the respective extreme positions illustrated in Fig. 4.

The parts described immediately above, as will be seen, comprise a lower limb frame, and this is pivotally connected to the seat frame, and to the stationary supporting frame of the chair, by means of a transversely extended hinge rod 39, the opposite ends of which are supported in suitable openings formed in the legs 5. Referring to Figs. 6 and 7, the hinge rod 39 extends through bushings 40 mounted in the rear end of the lower limb frame and the front end of the seat frame, and the respective end portions of said hinge rod project through spacer sleeves 4i interposed between the legs 5 and said front portionof the seat frame.

By reason of this arrangement, it will be apparent that the lower limb frame is pivoted for up and down swinging movement relative to the main supporting frame, and it is further seen that the seat frame is also pivoted for up and down swinging movement upon the supporting frame. The seat frame can be swung upwardly or downwardly independently of the lower limb frame, and the lower limb frame can be similarly swung upwardly or downwardly relative to the seat frame.

Further, the lower limb frame and the seat frame can belocked rigidly together so as to become a single unit capable of being swung bodily between a position such as illustrated in Fig. l,

and a position such as illustrated in Fig. 3.

For the purpose of releasably locking the seat and limb frames in line, I provide a U-shaped lock rod 42 disposed transversely of the chair, this yoke being pivotally connected at opposite ends to the respective side portions 230i theseat frame, a short distance rearwardly from thepivotal connection or hinge rod 33, by means of pivot bolts 43 or their equivalents. memorial is provided, in this connection, with an overlying cover plate 44, which represents a continuation of the cover plates 25 and 23 respectively, whenth'e lock rod i in one position. I

The lock rod 42 is capable of being engaged in front of locking plates 45 (Fig. 6), andwhen the lock rod is swung to the full line position illustrated in Fig. 6, and engages said loci; plates 45, it will be noted that th e seat-frame 22fand the limb frame 21 are locked rigidly "in line, fs'o that they can swing as a unit uponthehingerdd 38. In this connection, the lock plates 45 are secured fixedly to the rear ends of the side bars 28 of the lower limb frame, by means of rivets 45 and their equivalent, and also by means of the hinge rod 39.

By reason of the arrangement described, one can allow the lower limb frame to swing downwardly until it is in a position of approximate perpendicularity to the seat frame, merely by elevating the lock rod 42, which can be accomplished readily by grasping the opposite side portions of said lock rod and lifting upwardly thereon, so as to swing the lock rod to the dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 6. This breaks the rigid connection between the seat and limb frames, and permits the limb frame to swing downwardly asshown by dotted lines in Fig. 6, relative to the seat frame.

If, however, the seat and limb frames are releasably locked in line, they permit one to be readily seated in the chair even though possessed, as is often the case, with some afiiiction whereby they are prevented from readily bending their legs at the knees. With the locked seat and limb frames swung to the position illustrated in Fig. 3, the user need simply step upon the foot rest plate 38, and grasping the hand holds 5, can swing himself or herself backwardly, the locked frames pivoting upon the hinge rod 39 until they are in the position illustrated in Fig. 1. In this position, the person is comfortably seated, with the legs and feet elevated. At such time as the user may desire to leave the chair, it is necessary merely that the hand holds be grasped, after which the user bends forwardly until his weight is disposed sufiiciently forwardly to permit the locked frames to be slowly swung back to the position illustrated in Fig. 3, after which the person is able to walk away, since he will already have been placed in an upright position.

The invention includes means for adjusting the elevation of the seat frame, and to this end, there is rigidly secured to the opposite rear side frame units 4 adjustment plates 41, each of which is provided with an opening one side of which has vertically spaced inclined notches 48.

Adapted to be placed in any selected pair of notches is a seat frame support rod 49 of U-shape, that is connected to a supporting yoke 50 by pivotal connections 5|, the supporting yoke 58 being in turn pivotally connected at 52 to the top side rails I5.

If it is desired to adjust the elevation of the seat frame, one need simply grasp the opposite sides of the support rod 49, so as to slide them into or out of the notches 48, as desired. The inclining of the notches 48, of course, prevents the support rod from becoming accidentally disengaged from the selected notches, when the weight of a user is upon the seat frame.

The invention includes a back frame generally designated 53, this being of U-shape and having the parallel side portions 54 integrally joined at their upper ends by a cross member 55. A back rest cover plate 56 overlies the back frame and is rigidly connected thereto in any suitable manner.

At their lower ends, the side members 54 of the back frame are pivotally connected at 51 to the rear side frame units 4, so that the back frame can be swung between the full and dotted line clined downwardly toward their rear ends, where they are integrally joined by a cross member 60. Arm rests 6| are supported upon the horizontally disposed front ends of said side rails 59. Intermediate their opposite ends, the arm rest frame and the back frame are pivotally connected as at 62.

For the purpose of permitting adjustment of the back frame and arm rest frame, plates 63 are provided, that are connected at their upper and lower ends to the cross members l5 and H] of the stationary supporting frame, said plates 63 bein provided with the vertically spaced inclined notches 64 any of which are adapted to receive the cross member 68 of the arm rest frame. As will be noted, this permits the adjustment of the back frame and the arm rest frame, for use of the chair in such a manner as to permit one to sit either upright, or alternatively, in various reclining positions. In the lowermost reclining position the user is adapted to be reclining almost at full length, when the seat frame and lower limb frame are disposed in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1.

The inclining of the notches 84, as will be appreciated, prevents accidental movement of the rod 68 out of the selected notches, during use of the chair;

Stops 65, comprising transversely disposed cross bars riveted at opposite ends to the top and bottom frame units i1 and I I, limit swinging movement of the seat frame in one direction, when the seat frame and lower limb frame are swung together to the upright position illustrated in Fig. 3.

I believe it will be apparent that the invention has value, particularly in serving as an adjustable chair for persons who, because of some affliction, may not be able to bend their knees, or who are stiff or crippled through the infirmities of age. In such an instance, one need approach the chair only in an upright position, and step pin up on the foot rest 38, is enabled to be swung slowly back to a position wherein the person is seated in the chair, with the lower limbs elevated. Should the person decide to recline, the arm rest and seat rest are swingable backwardly and downwardly to the dotted line position illustrated in Fig. 3.

Should the user desire to be seated upright, with the legs extending downwardly instead of being elevated, it is necessary only to unlock the seat frame and lower limb frame, so that the lower limb frame is permitted to drop downwardly.

Further, any adjustments as to elevation of the seat frame are permitted, through the use of the plate 41 and rod 49. When the seat frame and lower limb frame are locked in line, elevation or lowering of the seat frame will act to lower or elevate the lower limb frame, so that the user can select any of various tilted positions of the seat frame and limb frame.

It is further believed to be important to note that the relative formation and arrangement of the parts distributes the weight of the person not only in a manner to insure the greatest possible comfort, but also to render the chair Wholly safe. The legs i and 5 are so inclined and spaced apart as to cause the center of gravity of the seated.

person to be disposed wholly between the several points of support of the chair and it will be noted from Fig. 3 that even where the person steps into the foot rest, the legs 5 will be spaced forwardly 7 ofth'e foot rest sufficiently to cause the. center of gravity to be in back of said legs 5.

What is claimed is:

1. A chair comprising a supporting frame; a

seat frame pivotally connected to the supporting frame at its front end; a lower limb frame pivotally connected to the supporting frame at its rear end, said pivotal connections being coaxial; means for locking the seat frame and lower limb frame against relative movement for joint tilting. upon said pivotal connections; andmeans limiting'tilting of the locked frames in opposite directions.

- '2. A chair comprising a supporting frame; a seat frame pivotally connected at its front. end tosaid supporting frame; a lower limb frame pivotally connected at its rear end to the supporting frame, said pivotal connections being coaxial; a lock rod pivotally mounted upon one of the pivoted frames and swingable past said pivotal connections so as to overlie the. other pivoted frame; a locking plate carried by said other pivoted frame and releasably engaged by said lock rod, to lock the pivoted frames against relative movement and in line; and means limiting swinging of the locked frames upon said coaxial pivotal connections in opposite directions.

3. In a chair a supporting frame; a seat frame pivotally connected at its front end to said supportingframe; a lower limb frame pivotally connected at its rear end to said supporting frame for swinging movement independently of the seat frame, the pivotal connections of the seat and lower limb frames being coaxial; means carried by one of said pivoted frames and extending past the pivotalconnections to engage the other frame, for releasably locking the frames against relative movement; a supporting rod for supporting the rear end portion of the seat frame; and means for adjusting said supporting rod as to elevation.

4. A chair comprising a supporting frame; a seat frame pivotally connected at its front end to the front portion of said supporting frame, for swinging movement through a vertical plane; a lower limb frame pivotally connected at its rear end t said supporting frame, the pivotal connections of said lower limb frame and seat frame being coaxial, said lower limb frame and seat frame extending in opposite directions from said coaxial pivotal connections; means carried by the seat frame and releasably engageable with the amps:

lower llmdframei 'to'llockthe lower limb frame against moverrientrelativev tothe'seat frame and in line with the seat frame; anda supporting rod carried by the supporting frame and extending transversely thereof, said supporting rod being positioned to support the rear end of the seat frame when the locked frames are swung in one direction, saidsupporting rod being adjustable as to elevation.

5. In a chair a supporting frame; a seat frame pivotally connected at'its front end to the front portion of said supporting frame for swinging movement through a vertical plane; a lower limb frame pivotally connected at its rear end to said supporting frame for swinging movement through a vertical plane, the pivotal connections of the lower limb frame and seat frame being coaxial, said frames being swing'able upon said connections independently of each other; a foot rest carried by the front end of the lower limb frame, said lower limb frame when swung downwardly upon its pivotal connections being proportioned to space the foot rest closely above a supporting surface whereby said foot rest comprises a step; a locking rod pivotally mounted upon the forward portion of the seat frame and spaced away from said pivotal connections, said locking rod being swingable past said pivotal connections; a locking plate carried by the rear portion of thelower limb frame and engageable by the locking rod when the locking rod is swung past said pivotal connections, to releasably lock the lower limb frame and seat frame against movement relative to each other and in line, for joint tilting of the seat and lower limb frames on an axis disposed substantially centrally between opposite ends of the combined frames; and means limiting swinging movement of the locked frames beyond positions in which they are roughly upright and horizontal, respectively.

THOMAS T. LECROY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,550,593 Perry Apr. 24, 1951 

